HORSHAM, Pa., May 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSKN), a medical technology company in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery dedicated to developing, commercializing and marketing innovative products for the treatment of dermatologic conditions, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

First Quarter Revenue and Business Highlights

• Total revenue for the first quarter of 2020 was $6.7 million, a decrease of 10.1% over total revenues for the first quarter of 2019 as our overseas equipment revenue was impacted by COVID-19.
• Total global XTRAC® recurring revenue in the first quarter of 2020 was $5.7 million, up 7.3% over first quarter 2019 total global XTRAC recurring revenues.
• Total gross margins and recurring gross margins were 65.4% and 68.4%, respectively, an increase of 3.8% and 2.2%, respectively, as compared to first quarter 2019.
• Net loss was $1.0 million, a decrease of 22.4% from a net loss of $1.3 million in the first quarter 2019.
• Domestic and International recurring installed base of 822 and 16 XTRAC devices, respectively, an increase of 2 and 6 devices, respectively.
• A peer reviewed study published in Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (April 2020) showing 92% of participants in study achieved reduction in mPASI score of 75% or more after receiving Optimal Therapeutic Dose Therapy with the XTRAC Multi-Micro Dose^® diagnostic tip for treatment of plaque psoriasis.
• Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at March 31, 2020 was $15.6 million.
• The Company received, on April 21, 2020, a $2.0 million forgivable loan under the SBA Payroll Protection Plan (the “PPP loan”).

“While recurring revenue in the second half of March was impacted by the lockdown and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which dramatically slowed the number of patients seeking treatment, we were very pleased to see our business continue to generate revenue during the quarter,” said Dr. Dolev Rafaeli, President and CEO of STRATA. “As we look now to an opening and lifting of restrictions in the U.S. and globally, we believe our unique business model and our direct to consumer advertising will help return our business to scale under the ‘new normal’ conditions. Our team is working closely with our clinicians as they are re-opening their clinics. We are helping to schedule patients and are optimistic of seeing a return to the scope of treatment and growth trends we saw just prior to the impact of the pandemic. In the meantime, we will continue to look for ways to leverage our business model as we seek accretive growth opportunities to augment our growing platform.”

Thirty-one states have recently announced a phased plan to return to normal business activities, allowing us to expand our previously announced Patient Outreach Program to drive patient referrals to our partner clinics. The Company has approximately 350 partner clinics in the states that have recently announced phase-one plans, which are generally in the Midwest and South East regions.

An active outreach effort to both partner clinics and patients is in place to rekindle our recurring revenue. Following the recent receipt of the PPP loan, the Company has called back many of its previously furloughed employees to assist in these outreach efforts and execute plans for growth in the second half of the year. The Company’s unique recurring business model positions us well to assist our partner clinics to resume business, fill their appointment books and get back to treating patients.

Being a solution to both patients and physicians in their search for a safe and effective treatment option for psoriasis and vitiligo resonates in the feedback STRATA is receiving from its physician partners, reflecting XTRAC’s increased importance to their practice without the associated risks of other alternative immune suppressant and systemic treatments.

“Following guidelines, we are currently not seeing any new starts on systemic, potentially immunosuppressive therapies for mild to moderate plaque psoriasis so we are pleased to be able to offer a safe alternative such as XTRAC for the patient who does not want to delay therapy during the COVID-19 outbreak,” stated Michael Schneider, M.D., Board certified dermatologist at Dermatology East, PLLC, Germantown, TN.

“XTRAC laser treatment does not have systemic side effects, immunosuppressive effects, risk of systemic infections and works effectively when combined with topical treatment modalities (topical corticosteroid, calcipotriene and retinoids),” stated Alison Z. Young MD, PhD, Board certified dermatologist at Spectrum Dermatology of Seattle, WA.

First Quarter 2020 Reported Financial Results

Revenues for the first quarter of 2020 were $6.7 million as compared to revenues of $7.5 million for the first quarter of 2019. Equipment revenues were $1.0 million as compared to $2.2 million for the first quarter of 2019. Our equipment revenues, which are primarily outside the United States, were impacted by the worldwide pandemic and the transition of our South Korean business model from equipment to recurring revenue. Recurring revenues for the first quarter of 2020 were $5.7 million as compared to $5.3 million for the first quarter of 2019. The increase in recurring revenue was the result of an increase in the number of patients and treatments in the first quarter of 2020 in our partner clinics.

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2020 was $4.4 million, or 65.4% of revenues, as compared to $4.6 million, or 61.6% of revenues, for the first quarter of 2019. Gross profit on recurring revenues for the first quarter of 2020 was $3.9 million, or 68.4% of revenues, as compared to $3.5 million, or 66.2% of revenues, for the first quarter of 2019. The increase in gross profit is the result of lower depreciation expense on units placed at physician practices.

Selling and marketing costs for the first quarter of 2020 were $3.0 million, compared to the $3.1 million for the first quarter of 2019, primarily as a result of lower tradeshow costs, commissions and DTC spend, partially offset by higher personnel costs. General and administrative costs for the first quarter of 2020 were $2.1 million, compared to $2.5 million for the first quarter of 2019, as a result of lower legal and accounting costs. Other expense decreased $135 thousand in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of lower interest expense due to refinancing of our debt in December 2019.

Net (loss) for first quarter 2020 was $(1.0) million, or $(0.03) per basic and diluted common share, as compared to net (loss) for the first quarter of 2019 of $(1.3) million, or $(0.04) per diluted common share.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), the Company provides certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance, including non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA.

The Company’s reference to these non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared under current accounting standards, but is not a substitute for, nor superior to, GAAP results. These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of our current financial performance and to provide further information for comparative purposes.

About STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc.

STRATA Skin Sciences is a medical technology company in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery dedicated to developing, commercializing and marketing innovative products for the treatment of dermatologic conditions. Its products include the XTRAC® excimer laser and VTRAC® lamp systems utilized in the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo and various other skin conditions.

The Company’s proprietary XTRAC® excimer laser delivers a highly targeted therapeutic beam of UVB light to treat psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema, atopic dermatitis and leukoderma, diseases, which impact over 35 million patients in the United States alone. The technology is covered by multiple patents, including exclusive rights for patents for the delivery of treatments to vitiligo patients.

STRATA’s unique business model leverages targeted Direct to Consumer (DTC) advertising to generate awareness and utilizes its in-house call center and insurance advocacy teams to increase volume for the Company’s partner dermatology clinics.

The XTRAC business has used this proven DTC model to grow its domestic dermatology partner network to over 822 clinics, with a worldwide installed base of over 2,000 devices. The Company is able to offer 90% of DTC patients an introduction to physicians prescribing a reimbursable solution, using XTRAC, within a 10-mile radius of their house. The Company is a leader in dermatology in-clinic business generation for its partners.